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Sunday, January 09, 2011

Time Never Stands Still 





Starting the New Year is always hard. The old falls away and the new must be faced. It’s not like you can keep segueing from one week to the next, like you did last year. You must make resolutions and try not to break them, you must review the past year’s progress, and you must see the big picture. So much for musts, now what do you want to do? Can you create a little bit of space for yourself? Deepak Chopra says “Trust that our soul has a plan and even if you can’t see it completely, know that everything will unfold as it is meant to.”

Last year, I turned 70. (photo above of me with my friend since ‘65—Karen Kops by taken by Sheila (www.sheilamenezes.com). I opened a box of mementos going back at least 50 years—cards, letters, photos (a few), diaries (short cryptic notes). Some might think I live too much in the past (my kids) others may think I try too hard to be on the cutting edge (impossible). I had a lovely party with seventy friends and a dosai feast. Thank you to all who helped me close another decade. Even my sister, Margo got up on the floor and danced:
(photo of my sisters, Jenny, Margo and myself with good friend Raida and other revelers in background.)

Reflection started earlier last year when my colleague Carol Bristow died barely a year after her retirement. Carol was a meticulous collection development librarian and a gifted quilter. This incident made me start thinking of my own mortality and my life affirming forces reemerged. I plan to retire in June from my position of almost 20 years at Evergreen Valley College as a librarian. I will miss the beautiful surroundings, the award winning library, my third floor corner office and my colleagues but my heart keeps saying “move on”.

Another wakeup call came when my good friend Christopher Willy (Chilly) slumped in his living room, dead from a heart attack at 69. His father, Eric Willy (Cag) was the principal during my era (late ‘50’s) at Breeks Memorial School in Ooty. In ’64 we got together again with many friends from high school in Toronto. He married Madelaine and emigrated to NZ where they lived in Garberville. The photo was taken by Elspeth with Toivo Yrjola on my left and Chilly (in red sweater) on my right. The world was so bright with promise. It was even sunny in London! Chilly was working on a book on the Flood (of which I have an excerpt) when he died.

I heard news of the passing of one of my favorite aunts, Daphne in Perth. She was so kind to me when I was a college student in Madras, having me over for dinners and chats. She was married to my favorite uncle, Len, but then later (after my cousin Barry died) they split and she married Alfie Tatum and emigrated to Australia. This picture was taken in ’92. Daphne had Alzheimer’s towards the end but for forty years she sent me a card every year for my birthday and Christmas. I would call her sometimes. I do miss her. She was a gentle soul. Alfie has gone, too. May they both Rest In Peace now.

I continued throughout the year, working a reduced load at Evergreen Valley College and volunteering as president of the board of directors of the Pacific Art League in Palo Alto. It was a stressful year at PAL that had me dealing with ten attorneys and several government agencies but in October we were freed up to concentrate on programs and fundraising. We need more talented and skilled volunteers. The building retrofit is moving forward and Bill submitted plans to city hall this month.

Involved with the West Coast Anglo Indian group, helping to host a dance in spring and a picnic in the summer, I had an essay “Femme Feng Shui” published in The Women of Anglo India; tales and memories this year. Copies of the book can be purchased from Blair Williams at CTR (http://www.blairrw.org/ctr/wai.htm). All monies received go to support this worthy charity.

The year meandered to a close. I visited Australia in August to see my mother, Isabel, who will be 90 next month and is in good health. Bill’s dad, William Richard (Bill) Bruner sr., passed away while I was in Australia. He was 97 and will be missed by his extended family: Bill’s mother, Polly (94); Bill and his sister, Betsey; Bill’s many cousins; Bill’s kids (his grandkids)—Amy, Meta, Dan, Jeffrey and Jessica and their spouses; and Bill’s grandchildren (his great-grand children)—Taylor and Devon, Caleb and Anna, Nuri, Amana and Raika, Hannah and Ryan Lee, Lauren, Alexi and Evan.

Bill spent many reunions with his family this past year. The memorial party for his dad in Los Osos was special. He spent Christmas in Seattle with eight of his grandchildren while I spent a quiet one here in Mountain View with Natala and Sheila (photo booth www.sheilameneses.com).
We shut down 2010 and opened up 2011 with my delicious crab curry, as usual. I started writing poetry again. This unfinished poem is called Therefore, I love.

As an emissary of the Goddess/I am mandated to love/Every stranger who walks this earth I love/I see through a wide lens.

Smoke in the wind dies down for me/Every stick, stone and plant/Love experiencing earth’s richness and depth/Purged from the shackles of time.

Love celebrates joy and forgives, enthused/Do not hold. Living is good./Cast upon the deep water, so lake blue/Love comes back, every time.

May you love in 2011. May your days be bright and sparkling with happiness. May every moment count. I wish you all, dear friends and family, a wonderful year and many more. See you F2F (Face to Face) or, on Facebook J Au revoir!

PS In case you are wondering what my plans are for the future, I found this cartoon among my mementos. Sounds like a good plan to start with.